Which term is defined as a statement that gives the speaker's selected speech topic and the speaker's specific purpose for speaking?

• A. Rebuttal
• B. Receiver
• C. Purpose Statement
• D. Rhetorical

Answer: (C)

In public speaking, a purpose statement is a concise sentence that identifies both your topic and your specific aim for speaking. It tells the audience what you will talk about and why you’re speaking about it, providing clear direction for the speech. This makes it the best fit because it directly combines the selected topic with the speaker’s specific purpose in one guiding statement, which shapes the content, structure, and delivery.

The other terms don’t fit as well. A rebuttal is a response to opposing arguments, not a statement of topic and purpose. A receiver refers to the audience, not a statement of intent. Rhetorical, when used as a noun, doesn’t denote a statement of topic and purpose.